Thursday, July 6 from 8 to 10 p.m. – Ben Hersman and the Sons of the Mountain, City National Bank stage
Friday, July 7, from 7:45 to 9 p.m. Carolina Blue Gospel Bluegrass Band, Marlinton United Methodist Church
Carolina Blue is a Brevard, North Carolina-based band whose roots run deep in the tradition of Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs. The band was formed in 2007 after the release of the album “Nothing So Blue,” by Bobby Powell and Tim Jones.
Carolina Blue won the South Carolina State Bluegrass Championship at RenoFest in 2011. The band’s repertoire consists of original songs, including Tim Jones’ “Spring Will Bring Flowers,” which was recorded by 2014 IBMA entertainers of the year Balsam Range. Carolina Blue recorded a set on Song of the Mountains in Marion, Virginia in 2016.
8 to 11 p.m. Davisson Brothers Band, City National Bank stage
The Davisson Brothers Band has a unique style, fusing a blend of country, southern rock and bluegrass to create a distinctive sound. Their remarkable sound, combined with the band’s talent and energy, has gained them an incredibly loyal and rapidly growing fan base. Brothers Donnie and Chris Davvison, and lifelong best friend Aaron Regester are continuing musical pursuits started long ago by the Davisson family. In DBB, one can’t help but hear the resounding influence of a life raised in music. Their song lyrics and sound tell powerful stories of their family history and lifestyle in West Virginia, and is sure to gain a nationwide following. The band recently worked with acclaimed producer Keith Stegall on its first national single “Jesse James.”
Saturday, July 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. Mud Hole Control, Gazebo Lawn on Main Street
Charlie Loudermilk started playing banjo in the late 1940s and Junior Spencer stared playing the fiddle about the same time. By the 1950s they had started playing square dances together. They played music together regularly until Charlie’s passing in 2012. In the mid 70s, Charle’s sons started playing with them. Jerry “Cannonball” played the upright bass and Charlie “Junior” played guitar. Steven Casto started playing banjo when he was eight years old. By the time he was 10, he had started sitting in on jam sessions with Mud Hole Control. In 2010 he began playing with the band on a regular basis and in 2011 began playing full-time with them.
The band has won many awards including a couple third place finishes at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival at Clifftop, and first and second place finishes at the Maury River Fiddler’s Convention in Buena Vista, Virginia.
6 to 7:30 p.m. The King Lives On!, City National Bank stage
Spend the early evening with Rudy Elvis as he sings and performs as the King of Rock and Roll singing the hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s. With his performance you will believe that, yes, Elvis is in the building – or on stage in downtown Marlinton. From the Summersville area, Rudy has performed at various fairs and festivals throughout West Virginia as well as birthdays, conventions, anniversary parties and family reunions. If you love Elvis, you won’t want to miss this performance.
8 to 11 p.m. Marteka and William Lake and the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys, on the City National Bank stage
Sharing the stage will be two well-known West Virginia bluegrass bands:
Marteka and William are rapidly making a name for themselves in the bluegrass music business; appearing with such people as J. D. Crowe on the “Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour,” in Lexington, Kentucky.
They have also played on the second longest running radio show in America, The Wheeling Jamboree USA.” They first appeared on the Wheeling Jamboree with Buddy Griffin, and later went back to play their own show.
“Rarely have I seen kids so young with so much talent,” Griffin said.
They have also opened up for Melvin Goins of the Goins Brother at the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton.
“That is some of the smoothest, purest bluegrass I have heard in my 60 years of playing,” Goins said.
Marteka and William have been endorsed by a national banjo company – Stelling Banjos. Owner Geoff Stelling built a one of a kind Stelling banjo, and named it “The Marteka Challenge.”
The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys are among West Virginia’s longest-running bluegrass bands. The group first organized in 1968. They took their name from Black Mountain in Pocahontas County.
They are well-known in the area with regular appearances at local events and regional bluegrass festivals. They recorded their first album in 1971, “Pure Old Bluegrass” and in the mid-1970s they followed up with a pair of albums,”Million Lonely Days” and “Talk of the County.” More recent albums include”Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys Live at Midnight,” “Live at the Opera House” and “Live at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre.”
Sunday, July 9, 2 to 4 p.m. The Hefner Family at the Old Log Church on Jerico Road